History

19th century

Dresses increased dramatically to the hoopskirt and crinoline-supported styles of
the 1860s;
then fullness was draped and drawn to the back by any dresses had a
"day" bodice with a high neckline and long sleeves, and
an "evening" bodice with a low neckline (decollete) and very short
sleeves.

Throughout this period, the length of fashionable
dresses varied only slightly, between ankle-length and
floor-sweeping.

Usage

In Europe and America, dresses are worn by females of
all ages as an alternative to a separate skirt and blouse or
trousers. Dresses are
often used by young girls and as more formal attire by adult women.
Outside the U.S., higher-status women (judges, cabinet ministers,
physicians, corporate executives et al.) generally avoid wearing
trousers in public. Conversely, women at the lowest socio-economic
levels sometimes do not own dresses.

Potential drawbacks of dresses include being
either too long or cumbersome for the performance of some physical
activities such as climbing stairs or ladders. Their use can run
contrary to the individual or wider public sense of modesty and decency, especially
given their potential to intentionally or accidentally expose the
wearer's underwear. In
addition, some dress styles, particularly those with back
closures, can be difficult or even impossible to don or remove
without assistance.

Dresses however can be cooler and less confining
than many trouser styles, and they are still very popular for
special occasions such as proms or weddings.

Underwear

Dresses are, like other outer clothing, usually
worn with underwear. A
wearer of a dress is likely to wear a form of panties as innerwear,
though depending on the occasion, type of material, and type of
skirt for modesty one may wear a slip over the panties.

One may usually wear a bra, but for modesty
wearing a camisole /
vest or full slip is also an option for the top. Dresses are
sometimes worn with tights.